Chapter 4: Problem 6
Find the area under the graph of \(\int\) over the interval [-6,4] $$f(x)=\left\\{\begin{array}{lll} -x-1, & \text { for } & x < -1 \\ -x^{2}+4 x+5, & \text { for } & x \geq-1 \end{array}\right.$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The area under the graph is approximately 68.83.
Step by step solution
01
- Identify the bounds and the function
The exercise asks for the area under the graph of a piecewise function over \[-6, 4\]. The function is given by: \(f(x)=\begin{cases} -x-1, & \text{for} & x < -1 \ -x^2 + 4x + 5, & \text{for} & x \geq -1 \end{cases} \).
02
- Split the integral at the piecewise point
Since the function changes at \(x = -1\), we need to split the integral at this point. This gives us: \[ \text{Area} = \int_{-6}^{-1} (-x-1) \, dx + \int_{-1}^{4} (-x^2 + 4x + 5) \, dx \]
03
- Integrate the first piece
Integrate \( -x-1 \) from \(-6\) to \(-1\): \[\int_{-6}^{-1} (-x-1) \, dx = \left[ -\frac{x^2}{2} - x \right]_{-6}^{-1} \= \left( -\frac{(-1)^2}{2} - (-1) \right) - \left( -\frac{(-6)^2}{2} - (-6) \right) \= \left( -\frac{1}{2} + 1 \right) - \left( -18 + 6 \right) \= \left( \frac{1}{2} \right) - (-12) = \frac{1}{2} + 12 = 12.5 \]
04
- Integrate the second piece
Integrate \( -x^2 + 4x + 5 \) from \(-1\) to \(4\): \[\int_{-1}^{4} (-x^2 + 4x + 5) \, dx = \left[ -\frac{x^3}{3} + 2x^2 + 5x \right]_{-1}^{4} \= \left( -\frac{4^3}{3} + 2 \cdot 4^2 + 5 \cdot 4 \right) - \left( -\frac{(-1)^3}{3} + 2 \cdot (-1)^2 + 5 \cdot (-1) \right) \= \left( -\frac{64}{3} + 32 + 20 \right) - \left( \frac{1}{3} + 2 - 5 \right) \= \left(\frac{-64}{3} + 52\right) - \left( -\frac{2}{3} \right) \= \left(\frac{-64 + 156}{3}\right) + \frac{2}{3} = \frac{94}{3}\]
05
- Sum up the results
Add the results of the integrals from steps 3 and 4 to get the total area: \[ \text{Total Area} = 12.5 + \frac{94}{3} = \frac{37.5}{1} + \frac{94}{3} = \frac{112.5}{3} + \frac{94}{3} = \frac{206.5}{3} = 68.83 \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Piecewise Functions
A piecewise function is defined by different expressions depending on the value of the input variable. This type of function is useful when a situation calls for different rules or equations in different segments of the domain.
- The given function is piecewise because it has different formulas for different intervals of x.
- For x < -1, the function is defined as \(f(x) = -x - 1\).
- For x ≥ -1, the function is defined as \( f(x) = -x^2 + 4x + 5\).
Integration
Integration is a fundamental concept in calculus that helps find the total accumulation of quantities. When you integrate a function, you're essentially finding the area under the curve of the function between two points on the x-axis.
- For our exercise, to find the total area under the curve, we need to perform integration twice because of the piecewise nature of the function.
- The integral splits at x = -1, giving us two separate integrals to solve:
- \[ \text{Area} = \int_{-6}^{-1} (-x-1) \, dx \]
- and
- \[ \int_{-1}^{4} (-x^2 + 4x + 5) \, dx \]
Area Under a Curve
Finding the area under a curve is a common problem in calculus that can describe various physical concepts such as distance, area, and total accumulation.
- The area under a function between two points can be found using definite integrals.
- For piecewise functions, the total area is found by calculating the area under each segment and adding them together.